National Affairs: Problem Child

What happened to Arthur Vandenberg? Only two days before the delegates streamed into Philadelphia, a poll of 815 U.S. editors had shown him as a lengths-ahead favorite for the nomination. Why did his boom collapse?

The clear, cold fact was that Arthur Vandenberg could not make up his mind. He was "available" for the nomination —on his own terms—but discouraged his followers by refusing to give them any help. He had allowed his candidacy to be stated, but he had declared that no candidate was ever chosen without "conniving," and he seemed determined not...

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